Investigation of alleged incidents in childcare centres

Background

Victoria Police is investigating a number of alleged sexual assaults linked to employee Joshua Brown who worked at a number of childcare centres across Melbourne.

The alleged offender has been arrested and charged by police and is in custody.

It is alleged that the offences occurred at Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre, Point Cook.

Police believe Brown worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025.

This remains an ongoing, active investigation and police are assessing new information daily, and as such, Victoria Police advises that further updates are likely in the coming weeks.

The manner of the alleged offending means some children may be recommended for screening for infectious diseases, and also because infectious diseases can be transmitted in different ways.

Families can be assured the potential risk of exposure to infectious diseases is considered low, and testing results to date reaffirms this assessment.

We acknowledge how distressing this is for all families involved and everything possible is being done to provide the vital support now required.

A list of the childcare centres where the alleged offender worked is available in the table below.

Childcare Centres and New Employment Dates

We’re asking the wider community to reserve the dedicated advice line for affected families, to ensure they can be provided with tailored information and support as soon as possible.

If you haven’t been directly notified, please first review the below list to check if your child attended the locations and the dates listed.

If your child did attend, please call the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8 am to 9 pm weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm weekends).

Please note: This is an ongoing investigation. The childcare sites and dates listed below are subject to change and it is recommended you check the site periodically for updates.

Updated list of services – at 16 July 2025

Additional service

• Point Cook World of Learning on 24 August 2023

These families will be contacted by the Department of Health

Date clarification

• Kids Academy – Melton

Date has been corrected – 12 September 2024 (not 2 September 2024)

These families will be contacted by the Department of Health

Updated list of services - at 15 July 2025

Four new childcare services have been identified

Impacted families will be contacted by the Department of Health from 15 July 2025.

1. Milestones Early Learning Braybrook
2. Milestones Early Learning Greensborough
3. Kids Academy Waratah Estate – Mickleham
4. Milestones Early Learning Tarneit

Services with changed dates

1. Adventurers Education in Wyndham Vale
2. Aussie Kindies Early Learning in Keilor
3. Aussie Kindies Early Learning in Sunbury
4. Explorers Early learning in Point Cook
5. Kids Academy in Melton
6. Milestones Early Learning in Hoppers Crossing
7. Nido Early Learning School in Werribee
8. Only About Children in Williamstown
9. Papilio Early learning in Essendon
10. (Non-childcare) D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children in Footscray

Service no longer in scope

There are no known changes to other services on the list at this time.

Childcare services

Below is a list of the known services and dates where the alleged offender worked.

The current table reflects updates made on 15 and 16 July 2025.

Other services

Health Advice

A public health response has been stood up, and affected families are being provided with tailored supports and information.

On Tuesday, 15 July 2025, Victoria Police confirmed additional locations and dates where the alleged offender has worked.

As a result, the Victorian Department of Health, in partnership with Victoria Police, is directly contacting families who have been affected and whose children may be recommended for precautionary testing.

This will include additional families receiving the notification for the first time, as well as some families who were notified on 1 July 2025 about the allegations and the potential risk of exposure to infectious diseases.

Importantly, as a result of this update, if your child has already had a precautionary test (either blood and urine, or urine only) as part of the initial notification, they won’t need further testing as they’ve already been tested for the infectious diseases involved.

If you have received a notification

While Victoria Police has advised that there is no evidence your child has been offended against, there remains a low risk your child may have been exposed to an infectious disease.

Please be assured that testing results to date related to this investigation confirm the potential risk is low.

A nurse will contact you as soon as possible to provide support, including tailored information about whether your child is recommended to undergo precautionary testing.

If your child is recommended for precautionary testing, the nurse will support you to book a free test near you, or if preferred – support you to book with your GP. Test results are typically available within 3-5 days.

If you need more immediate support, please contact the dedicated advice line 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8 am to 9 pm weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm weekends).

You’ll be advised of the expected wait time when you call, and if you’re unable to wait on hold please select the call back option and we’ll call you back as soon as possible.

If you haven’t received a notification

Best endeavours have been made to contact all families who may have been affected via email, text and post.

If you haven’t been contacted by Victoria Police or received a direct notification from the Department of Health (via text, email or letter), it is likely that you or your child have not been identified as someone needing further public health information in relation to this matter.

However, we know there may be some families that we don’t have the most up to date information for, or they have moved homes.

Please check the list of centres above and if you believe your child was at the centre at that time, contact the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8 am to 9 pm weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm weekends).

The dedicated advice line is prioritising support for affected families, but we acknowledge this matter may still be distressing for you and we encourage anyone with further health concerns to contact their GP or other available supports.

There is further information below about available supports and advice on how to speak to young children about this incident available on the Better Health Channel.

If you are a staff member at one of the listed childcare centres

Testing is not currently recommended for staff members, however you can speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your health.

We acknowledge this matter may still be distressing for you and there are a range of available supports and counselling available to assist you.

A dedicated phone line has been established for people working in early childhood education and care. Staff can access professional and confidential support through TELUS Health by calling 1800 971 573.

This phone line is available for anyone working in the early childhood sector, not just those at impacted services.

Additional information

Financial supports

Some families will be eligible for a payment of $5,000 to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings, and other practical needs.

Families of children who attended the childcare centres below, during the dates listed are eligible for the Immediate Needs Payment.

• Creative Gardens Point Cook from 28 Oct 2021 to 2 Feb 2024 and
• Papilio Early Learning Essendon from 17 Feb 2025 to 9 May 2025.

In addition, families are eligible for the Immediate Needs Payment where their child:

• attended a childcare site where the alleged offender worked within specific date ranges, and
• is recommended for precautionary testing for their child by the Department of Health.

If you think you are eligible, please contact VSSR.financial.support@justice.vic.gov.au.

For further information see the FAQs.

Sexual assault support services

Sexual assault support services are available across Victoria for adults, children and young people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.

If you have experienced or have been impacted by sexual assault and need help, please:

• Visit Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SAS Vic), the peak body for sexual assault and harmful sexual behaviour services in Victoria. SAS Vic can help you find your local sexual assault service through an interactive map or by visiting the list of services.
• Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) on 1800 806 292 for support with an immediate crisis. SACL is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential telephone service in Victoria for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. SACL operates between 5pm to 9am on weeknights and throughout weekends and public holidays.
• Call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) who can provide you with support if you are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence.

For additional resources and information on trauma, sexual assault services please visit the DFFH web page.

Help for parents wanting to talk about sexual assault

If you are concerned about your child in any way, or feel that you need support yourself, always seek professional advice. A good place to start is your family GP and your existing networks.

You can visit SAS Vic’s Child Sexual Abuse in Early Childhood Education and Care Settings web page for a range of information and videos on talking to children about sexual assault, looking after yourself and your child and how to respond to your child.

Alternatively, the National Office for Child Safety website also has a range of information and resources for parents, carers and guardians of preschool aged children, or read their specific advice on having conversations about sexual assault with your child; an Easy Read summary of the advice is also available.

Additional resources for parents, educators and care services

There is a range of general information, posters and phonelines available where you can find further information to support you to discuss sexual assault with children:

• Raising Children’s Network – Signs of sexual abuse in children and teenagers
• Kids Helpline - Understanding child sexual abuse facts and information

Translations

Call the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8 am to 9 pm weekdays and 8 am to– 5 pm weekends) and let them know if you need an interpreter.

Translated trauma reaction and recovery factsheets are available at the Better Health Channel.

Safety in early childhood education

The health, safety and wellbeing of children attending early childhood services is the highest priority.

All early childhood services in Victoria must comply with the Child Safe Standards, which require organisations involving children to have policies, procedures and practices to keep them safe.

Under the Education and Care Services National Law, it is the responsibility of Approved Providers to ensure services are maintaining a safe environment and quality care and learning.

Victoria’s Early Childhood Regulatory Authority conducts assessments against the standards, and investigations at early childhood education and care services, where there is reason to believe that offences have been, or are being, committed that pose a risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of any child at the service.

Raising concerns

Under the National Law, services must report matters including any serious incidents, allegations of abuse and any complaints alleging that a serious incident has occurred.

These matters are investigated by the Regulatory Authority.

You can contact your early childhood service manager directly or the Approved Provider if you're concerned about:

• the safety, health, or wellbeing of children
• staff behaviours and practices
• any other matter.

It's the service's responsibility to deal with all complaints in a positive, constructive and professional manner.

You can also make a complaint to the Regulatory Authority (QARD). All notifications are taken seriously and investigated. Reports can be made anonymously.

Anyone with concerns about the safety of children in early childhood services, should call the Regulatory Authority on 1300 307 415.

For more information visit: Making a complaint about an early childhood service.

Victims of crime resources

Victims of Crime Helpline

Victims Assistance Program

Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme

Victims Legal Service

Child and Youth Witness Service

Victims and Witness Assistance Service (Office of Public Prosecutions)